This autumn additional focus will be on encouraging higher and further education establishments to put on female-specific sessions at the start of their academic years. It is hoped that more than 22,000 will take part, a 20 per cent increase on October 2015 – therefore reaching 75,000 women and girls in total in 2016.

The weeks are being delivered in partnership with the Independent Schools FA, English Schools FA, Association of Colleges Sport, British Universities and Colleges Sport, the Premier League and the English Football League.

Kelly Simmons, FA director of football participation and development, said: “After the success of our first week in April, it’s important that we continue to build on this in October.

FA Girls’ Football Week in April targeted 5-16-year-olds

“The FA has committed to doubling female football participation by 2020 and events such as this are key in meeting these targets.

“We’re encouraging as many further and higher educational institutions as possible, along with schools, clubs and other organisations to put on sessions and give more women and girls the chance to play football.

“Hopefully these will prove popular and will continue to run throughout the academic year, giving people the opportunity to play regularly and enjoy their football, which we know is crucial to increasing participation.”